Matchday twenty of this season saw Billingham visit Clifton Park. Billingham have been consistent throughout the season and were fourth in the table going into the game. York are mid-table but are always competitive and fielded a strong eighteen.

Sam Forbes returned from injury and played at outside-centre. Angus Barrick joined Sam in the centres with Will Fordy in rotation. Joe Maud, Archie Fothergill and Shane Goulding formed an experienced back-row. Chris Fox and Luke Stockton were in the second-row. Sam Taylor and Sam Elliot were the two wingers, Liam Hessay played at fly-half.The pitch and ground, populated with a good number of home and travelling supporters, were well presented. There was a cold, biting wind.

Billingham were error free to begin the game. They had three scrummages and two lineouts within the York twenty-two but York defended stoutly. Liam Hessay cleared the ball to the halfway line and the early pressure was released. Archie Fothergill was mobile within the lineout which provided York a valuable source of possession throughout the game. The rucks were fierce and all of the York forward pack were aggressively clearing Billingham bodies to protect the ball. Jobe Roxby kicked a penalty for Billingham to give them the lead with twenty minutes elapsed. The Billingham second-row, Ben Walton, then broke clear from his own half and scored under the posts. Conversion good, ten-nil to Billingham. York were steady though and began to assert themselves and dent the visitor’s confidence. Archie put his body on the line in a ruck to secure possession. Scrum-half, Toby Atkin passed to Shane Goulding who quickly moved the ball to Sam Taylor on the wing. Sam beat his defender on the outside and cut-inside the covering Billingham full-back. Sam scored under the posts and there was no problem for Liam Hessay with the conversion.

York scored again almost straight from the re-start. Liam jabbed the ball over the top of the Billingham defensive line into plenty of space. Luke Stockton gathered and fed Toby Atkin in support. Toby released Sam Elliot who raced home. With the conversion added by Liam Hessay, York were now fourteen to ten ahead. The York forward pack were sharing the heavy workload with everyone playing their part. Before the midpoint of the match, Billingham felt that winger, Martin Hopley, had scored in the corner but the referee disallowed the try. York cleared and it was half-time. 14-10.

Billingham scored first in the second-half. With the wind now against them, York struggled to clear their lines. Billingham retained possession and eventually, a long pass found Ben Walton wide on the wing and he scored again. The conversion was missed, Billingham were one point ahead. With twenty minutes remaining, Sam Taylor scored his second try of the game for York. He was again, given space, and proved elusive. He cut inside from his wing and put the ball down beneath the posts. Good conversion by Liam Hessay and York were back ahead by six points, 21-15.

York looked strong. The scrum was now dominant, the lineout steady. With no room to work with, Sam Elliot nudged a kick back infield. The ball was grounded for a try but it was disallowed due to a foot in touch. With only three minutes remaining, Billingham took attacking risks and threw the kitchen sink at the York line. They forced their way over in the corner. York were still a point ahead with the touchline conversion being the last play of the game. Jobe Roxby kicked it. Billingham were delighted, York couldn’t believe it. York 21 Billingham 22.

The lead changed hands five times, the final change being the last kick of the game. York gave their all and Billingham never gave up. Congratulations to all of the players on a very hard fought and closely contested game.

York are away to strugglers, Burnage next Saturday. Billingham travel to Blackburn in a difficult match-up for them.